Cathode ray tube screen cleaner

ABSTRACT

A hand held CRT screen cleaning tool has a body with a bottom cleaning portion secured to a top gripping portion. A brush or cleaning element is secured to the bottom portion for cleaning and removing static charge from a CRT screen by pressing the brush against, and dragging the brush a multiple of times across the CRT screen.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Document Disclosure No. 424972, dated Oct. 1, 1997, and No. 425983, dated Oct. 14, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to cleaning devices, and more particularly, to a novel device for both cleaning and removing static charge from cathode ray tube (CRT) screens.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Cleaning aids and devices, such as brushes, squeegees, ice and snow scrapers are known. These devices are widely used to clean windows and other areas in all types of buildings, and to clean and/or scrape windshields and other windows in vehicles.

[0006] However, these known devices are not capable of, and cannot be adapted for, cleaning and/or removing static charge from CRT screens. CRT screens are contained, for example, in computer monitors, television sets, and other video display devices. As the public becomes more familiar with and uses video display devices, such as in desk top monitors, portable computers, TV sets, etc., the need for cleaning the screens of such devices increases. Furthermore, such devices for cleaning such screens should be capable of quickly and easily cleaning the screens, and at the same time removing static charge therefrom. There, therefore, exists a need in the art for an inexpensive, easy to manufacture and use device for cleaning and removing static charge from video display device screens.

[0007] Known prior art devices for cleaning windows and the like are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 763,888 to Hayden, 1,555,417 to Johnston, 2,154,373 to Bulleigh, 2,526,468 to Frye, 2,977,127 to Mertes, 2,958,886 to Taylor, 3,965,520 to Maier, 4,075,730 to Siemund, 4,317,250 to Shutts, 4,430,769 to Bergstrom, 4,495,668 to Adams, 5,140,717 to Castaliola, 5,321,868 and 5,528,793 to Schbot.

[0008] Additionally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,289,236 to Salka and 3,333,289 to Maughan show, respectively, a painter's edging tool having a paint applying element 26, 26 a and an oval shaped cleaning brush having conical shaped bristles for cleaning in corners.

[0009] While the foregoing mentioned prior art devices provide improvements in the cleaning art, there still remains the need in the art for an easy to use, low-cost device for use in cleaning and/or removing static charge from CRT screens. The novel and simplified device of the present invention allows a user to easily and quickly clean a CRT screen by drawing or moving the device back and forth across a screen face with a cleaning brush thereof in contact with the screen. None of the prior art devices discussed above are applicable to cleaning a CRT screen nor could they be used to remove static charge from a CRT screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved cleaning device. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a squeegee like cleaning tool for cleaning computer screens and the like. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide a hand held CRT screen cleaning device which is moved over the screen a multiple of times to clean the screen and remove static charge therefrom. And, it is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide a hand held CRT screen cleaning device having an elongated brush mounted on a body, which body is easily gripped between the thumb and one or more fingers of a single hand of a user for rubbing over a CRT screen to clean the screen and remove static charge therefrom.

[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a hand held CRT screen cleaning tool having a body with an elongated bottom portion secured to a top gripping portion. An elongated brush or cleaning element is secured to the elongated bottom portion for placement on and cleaning of a CRT screen by dragging the elongated brush a multiple of times across the CRT screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a computer monitor showing a hand of a user holding a screen cleaning device of the present invention against the screen and then dragging it across the screen of the monitor during cleaning; and

[0014]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section of a preferred embodiment of the screen cleaning device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide for a novel and improved hand held screen cleaning device, generally indicated by numeral 10.

[0016] Although the hand held screen cleaning device 10 may take any desired shape, and be made from any available or desired material, it is preferably formed from a single piece of plastic or other similar material, in the form of a squeegee-type device. The hand held cleaning device 10 is comprised of a body 11 having a smaller first or upper gripping portion or section 12, a second or lower elongated cleaning portion or section 14, and a connecting or neck portion 15. The elongated cleaning portion 14 is preferably formed in a generally rectangular shape having contoured corners and connected to the neck portion 15 centrally thereof. An elongated brush or cleaning element 16 is secured to a first or rear side 18, as by means of a holding element 17 captured in an elongated opening 21, formed along an angled edge 20 of the elongated lower portion 14 (see FIG. 2). The angle of the edge 20, to which the holding element 17 of brush 16 is bonded or secured, as by an adhesive or the like, is chosen so that bristles 22 of the cleaning brush 16 extend at a selected angle to the hand held cleaning device 10 while the device is gripped by a hand 24 of a user during cleaning a CRT screen 26 of a computer monitor or the like 28 (see FIG. 1). The angle of the edge 20 may vary depending on the size of the hand held device 10, the brush 16 and the length of the bristles 22. That is, the hand held device 10 and brush 16 are sized and dimensioned so that the angle of the edge and the length of the brush are sufficient when handled or manipulated by the single hand 24 to be easily and quickly drawn across the screen 26 to clean and remove the static charge from an area 30.

[0017] The rear face or side 18 of the hand held cleaning device 10 preferably includes a raised portion or bead 32 along its outer edge to add strength thereto, while a front face or surface 19 thereof is preferably be flat. In this manner the front face 19 may contain advertising, a design, printing, or the like, or may be contoured or otherwise decorated to allow it to be used as an advertising specialty or promotional device.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the hand held cleaning device 10 is used to clean and remove static charge from the CRT screen 26. This is accomplished by the user grasping the gripping portion 12 in hand 24, between the thumb and one or more fingers thereof. The hand 24 easily presses the bristles 22 of brush 16 against the CRT screen 26 and moves the hand held cleaning device 10 from a first edge 34 of the monitor 28 over area 30 until the cleaning device reaches a second edge 36 of monitor 28. The cleaning device 10 is then moved back and forth across the screen 26, in the same type of swiping motion to clean and remove static charge from the remainder of the screen.

[0019] It is obvious that a user of the hand held cleaning device 10, will have to move the device over the screen with the bristles 22 in contact therewith a number of times, depending on the size of the device 10 and the size and shape of the screen 26. As discussed above, the cleaning device 10 and brush 16 are sized and dimensioned so that the device may be easily gripped by the hand 24 with the bristles 22 pressed against and capable of following any curvature of the screen over which it is being drawn. The bristles 22 and brush 16 are preferably formed from a resilient material, such as Nylon, to allow static charge to be removed, and with the bristles being of sufficient length to clean and conform to a curved screen surface for more efficient and thorough cleaning thereof.

[0020] When not in use, the hand held cleaning device 10 may be stored out of the way, as by being removably secured to a corner of the computer monitor 28, by a removable securing means 38, such as a loop and fastener system referred to by the trademark VELCRO. This securing means 38 may be secured to the rear surface 18 of the cleaning device, as best shown in FIG. 2.

[0021] It therefore can be seen that the present invention provides a simple and easy to manufacture and use hand held cleaning device for cleaning and removing static charge from a screen of a computer monitor or other video display device. It is particularly useful by one hand of a user to be dragged or drawn multiple times over a CRT screen for efficient and quick cleaning thereof. Furthermore, the device may take any shape so as to be compatible with its surroundings and may have advertising, a design, or other materials, such as a logo applied to an outer side thereof to increase the aesthetics thereof.

[0022] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. 

What we claim is:
 1. A hand held cleaning device for cleaning and removing static charge from a screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: a body having a front surface, a back surface, an upper holding portion and a lower cleaning portion; the lower cleaning portion being elongated and having an elongated brush secured to the back surface; and the upper holding portion being sized and dimensioned to fit in one hand of a user and to be held between a thumb and at least one finger of the one hand during use to clean and remove static charge from the screen.
 2. The hand held cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the elongated brush includes a plurality of bristles.
 3. The hand held cleaning device of claim 2 , further including an angled edge formed on the back surface to which the elongated brush is secured.
 4. The hand held cleaning device of claim 3 wherein the elongated brush and bristles are made from a resilient material.
 5. The hand held cleaning device of claim 4 wherein the resilient material is Nylon.
 6. The hand held cleaning device of claim 4 wherein the lower cleaning portion includes an elongated opening formed in the angled edge, and the brush is secured in the elongated opening.
 7. The hand held cleaning device of claim 6 wherein the body is made from a plastic material.
 8. The hand held cleaning device of claim 1 , further including an angled edge formed on the back surface to which the elongated brush is secured.
 9. The hand held cleaning device of claim 8 wherein an elongated opening is formed in the angled edge, and the elongated brush is secured in the elongated opening.
 10. The hand held cleaning device of claim 9 wherein the elongated brush includes a plurality of bristles.
 11. The hand held cleaning device of claim 10 wherein the elongated brush and bristles are made from a resilient material.
 12. The hand held cleaning device of claim 11 wherein the resilient material is Nylon.
 13. The hand held cleaning device of claim 12 wherein the body is made from a plastic material.
 14. A hand held cleaning device for cleaning and removing static charge from a screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: a body having a front surface, a back surface, an upper holding portion and an elongated lower cleaning portion; the elongated lower cleaning portion being substantially rectangular and having an elongated brush secured to an angled edge formed on the back surface; and the upper holding portion being sized and dimensioned to fit in one hand of a user and to be held between a thumb and at least one finger of the one hand during use to clean and remove static charge from the screen.
 15. The hand held cleaning device of claim 14 wherein the elongated lower cleaning portion includes an elongated opening formed in the angled edge, and the elongated brush is secured in the elongated opening.
 16. The hand held cleaning device of claim 15 wherein the elongated brush includes a plurality of bristles.
 17. The hand held cleaning device of claim 16 wherein the elongated brush and bristles are made from a resilient material.
 18. The hand held cleaning device of claim 17 wherein the resilient material is Nylon.
 19. The hand held cleaning device of claim 15 wherein the body is made from a plastic material.
 20. A method of cleaning and removing static charge from a screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising the steps of: providing a hand held cleaning device having a body with a front surface, a back surface, an upper holding portion and an elongated lower portion having a cleaning brush secured therein; grasping the upper holding portion in one hand between a thumb and at least one finger of the one hand; pressing the cleaning brush against a cathode ray tube screen; and dragging the hand held cleaning device with the cleaning brush pressed against the cathode ray tube screen, a multiple of times across the cathode ray tube screen, to clean and remove static charge from the cathode ray tube screen. 